MCAS science exam brings mixed results

Most high school sophomores passed the state's science and technology exam last spring, but nearly a third still need to improve in science, based on test results released earlier this week.

John Hilliard/Daily News staff

Most high school sophomores passed the state's science and technology exam last spring, but nearly a third still need to improve in science, based on test results released earlier this week.

Locally, the vast majority of sophomores passed the exam, but districts are digging into test results to find areas where students need to improve, fine-tune the science curriculum in each district and raise future MCAS test scores.

According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, about 74 percent of 10th-graders scored advanced or proficient on the English exam, and 72 percent of sophomores performed that well on the math exam.

But the science and technology MCAS, which is a graduation requirement for the first time this year, met with less success across the state. About 57 percent of 10th-graders earned advanced or proficient scores, and another 31 percent rated "needs improvement" on the exam.

That rating is a passing score for MCAS, but students in that category for the English and math exams need to complete additional requirements in order to graduate high school. Twelve percent of sophomores failed the exam across the state.

The additional graduation measures for the English and math exams are "basically so (students) can't squeak by in high school," said Heidi Guarino, chief of staff for the state's K-12 education department.

About 77 percent of Ashland's sophomores rated as proficient or advanced in the MCAS science exam - scores that Superintendent Richard Hoffmann credits to the district's focus on more hands-on projects in science.

"It does need some fine-tuning," said Hoffmann, noting school officials will review results to see how teachers can improve student performance on the test.

About 20 percent of sophomores earned a "needs improvement" score, and another four percent failed. The town's high school has an academic support center and students are encouraged to take retests if needed, he said.

"It seems so hard to believe science can be a paper and pencil test" instead of a project, said Hoffmann.

In Wayland, 99 percent of 10th graders passed the exam, with only 8 percent falling into the "needs improvement" category.

Superintendent Gary Burton, who hadn't yet reviewed MCAS scores in depth, said they are pleased with the good scores.

"It's the result of a lot of hard work," said Burton.

Other districts didn't fare as well on the exam. Just over half of Hudson High School sophomores scored advanced or proficient ratings, and another 41 need improvement on the science exam.

School Principal John Stapelfeld said Hudson's "unique problem" in science is how it coordinates that curriculum: Freshmen take physics instead of more traditional classes like earth science or biology. While Hudson offers typical science courses and prepare kids well for college, the order in which Hudson offers them doesn't match what's on the test, he said.

According to the state's education department, about 80 percent of Hudson graduates continue on to college.

"I'm a little reluctant to change a curriculum that has worked well for us to accommodate MCAS," said Stapelfeld, but noted the district will have to review ways of improving MCAS preparation.

Marlborough schools' Bill Rigney, the science, technology and engineering coordinator for grades six through 12, said the district will look at teaching methods used to improve English and math MCAS scores and try using them on science classes.

"We've got a lot of work to do, no doubt about it ... but for a first shot (as a graduation requirement), we can't be too disappointed," said Rigney, who doubles as a high school biology teacher.

At Keefe Tech, 47 percent of 10th graders scored in the "needs improvement" category. Superintendent James Lynch said the school has begun offering more science class options to freshmen, including biology and courses in engineering and technology, which officials hope will give students a better chance of doing well on MCAS. Nearly three-quarters of Keefe's sophomores passed the state's science exam.

"A good number of students would be better served by another form of science," said Lynch.

(John Hilliard can be reached at 508-626-4449 or John.Hilliard@cnc.com.)

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